Following an illustrious early career in the martial arts, he served in the Imperial Japanese Army before and during World War II.

After introducing aikido to the UK, he established several Japanese martial arts councils there during the late 1950s.

[7] At his 1st dan judo examination, Abbe had caught the attention of Shotaro Tobata from the Butoku Kai, who had been refereeing at the event.

[5][7] In 1934, Abbe moved to Kyoto with his mother and his sister Toyoka so that he could attend Busen, training in both the judo and kendo programmes.

[1][5] Abbe learned kendo under the direction of Busen's head sword instructor, Kinnosuke Ogawa, a master who held the rank of 10th dan.

[1][11] This match was one of only four professional career losses for Kimura, who was already well known as one of the best judo competitors in Japan, and would later gain further fame for defeating Hélio Gracie of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

[12] Two years later, during which time Kimura trained hard, he sought Abbe out at the Kodokan and soundly defeated him in a 20-minute practice session.

[5] During this period, his sister Toyoko began studying Tendō-ryū naginata under a female instructor named Mitamura Chiyo (in Japan, arts focusing on the handling of naginata have been practiced almost exclusively by women since the Edo period),[13] and she would continue practicing that art for the rest of her life.

[1][5] In June 1937, Abbe enlisted in the Imperial Japanese Army, and was subsequently posted to a garrison in Manchuria.

[1][5] Abbe did not remain a civilian for long, however, since Japan entered World War II near the end of that year.

Abbe was assigned to a training unit in Tokushima Prefecture, where he studied and mastered jūkendō (bayonet).

Rogers, Ellis, and Eastman (2004) give the following account of their first meeting: It was during a train journey in Japan that Abbe first met Ueshiba.

Ueshiba then introduced himself as the Founder of Aikido, and was told by Abbe that he didn't look strong enough to be a martial arts master.

Abbe claimed that, as he took hold of the old man's finger and tried to break it, he found himself on the floor of the carriage and totally immobilised.

[15]Morgan and Ellis (2006) give a slightly different account: While travelling on a train Abbe noticed an older man staring at him who then asked if he was a 5th Dan Judo.

[1]Abbe studied aikido under Ueshiba for 10 years, eventually reaching the rank of 6th dan in that art.

[8][c] Abbe proceeded to teach aikido at his own dojo (training hall), affectionately known as 'The Hut,' which was located behind a pub in Hillingdon, London.

[4][20] Training was rigorous and, due to Abbe's poor command of English, he would often make corrections by using a shinai (practice sword) to hit the body part that was out of place; Ellis recalled that Abbe would say, "My English is poor but my shinai speaks fluently.

Geoff Thomson (1998) wrote: He was walking down a quiet suburban street on his way home after his usual evening teaching session.

[22]Speaking about the incident, Ellis said, "Not a lot of love and harmony from Abbe sensei, simply an attitude and language these thugs understood.

Robinson (2007) wrote, "[he] did invite his family to live with him in London however they refused, apparently not at all attracted by the life style that Kenshiro offered them in England.

"[9] Abbe was involved in a car accident in 1960 which left him with severe neck injuries that had lasting effects on his health.

[1][8][19][e] When he asked former colleagues to help him rebuild the organisation, they refused; he subsequently left the UK, never to return.

[1][4][5][7][32] According to at least two sources, he had chosen to donate his body for medical education at Saitama University,[7][9] so it was not immediately laid to rest.

Abbe's funeral was held on 10 June 1986 at Zuiganji Temple, located south of Mount Bizan in Tokushima,[33] and he was buried or commemorated at the family grave there.

[5][7][9] Robinson (2007) wrote, "Abbe was the master who introduced Kendo, Aikido, Karate, Kyodo, Jukendo, Iaido, Yarido and Naginatado to Europe yet he died almost totally alone and forgotten by most.